The days when I fished in Daming

No matter how you look at it, today's events seem unusual.

However, after thinking about it again, I realized it didn't matter.

With the enemy right in front of me, even if there's some conspiracy, I have to get my revenge first.

"Old Kong! Now that we have witnesses, what excuses do you have left?"

No respect for people!

Kong Xisi, however, had no time to investigate further.

At this moment, the sudden appearance of witnesses threw them into disarray.

"My lord, although there are witnesses, it is still only one side's story. Moreover, they are neighbors. Wouldn't it be unfair to show favoritism towards them?"

"Oh, so you mean he went to the main hall of my Yingtian Prefecture and gave false testimony for others!"

"Human hearts are the most unpredictable thing. Perhaps he thought there was nothing wrong with giving false testimony, which is why he came forward to testify!"

What's right and what's wrong is clear at a glance.

Perhaps due to pre-existing prejudice, Zheng Xiong had no goodwill towards the Kong family.

Zheng Xiong now sees Kong Xisi's response as nothing but sophistry.

Therefore, Zheng Xiong did not intend to continue rambling.

"Now that the witnesses are here, if you still want to deny it, then don't blame me."

"Men, loosen up the bones of the Kong family's young master. Give him twenty strokes of the cane first, and see if he confesses or not."

After saying that, Zheng Xiong took out the token and threw it out.

After the yamen was reorganized, no one disobeyed Zheng Xiong's orders, and two execution constables immediately stepped forward.

Without any further ado, one person pinned Kong Xi to the ground, while the other raised a board as if to strike him.

Kong Xi trembled uncontrollably, yet he was unable to break free.

Turning his head, he saw that Kong Xisi also looked anxious, with sweat beading on his face.

At this critical moment, another person suddenly appeared outside the hall.

"Wait a minute."

The moment those two words were uttered, everyone's attention was instantly drawn to them.

The person rushed over, holding a document in his hands, and spoke to Zheng Xiong as he passed through the crowd.

"My lord, the Minister has ordered that the Kong Xi case has been reported to the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Justice has decided to accept it. He has specially sent me to interrogate all the witnesses and evidence. This is the document. Please take a look."

Having said that, he quickly stepped forward and handed the document to Zheng Xiong's desk.

Zheng Xiong didn't even glance at the documents handed to him.

"The Ministry of Justice is meddling too much. First, no one has died. Second, I haven't even finished my trial yet. When did it become the Ministry of Justice's place to interfere in other people's business?"

"Your trip wasn't in vain. Let me show you how I handle cases and give you some experience."

"My lord..."

The newcomer wanted to speak, but Zheng Xiong glared at him, silencing him.

He could only glance helplessly at Kong Xisi.

Zheng Xiong's words were harsh enough, almost like a direct insult. If you still can't tell the situation from the situation, your little arms and legs won't be able to withstand the beating.

"What are you standing there for! Give me a beating, let's see if you're tough on the guts, or if my rod is tougher."

"Clap clap."

Every bite is substantial, with absolutely no skimping on ingredients.

Kong Xi shouted out loud at the very first slap.

It made a sound like a pig being slaughtered.

With each stroke, Kong Xi gradually couldn't take it anymore; his voice grew weaker and weaker until it disappeared completely.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that she had already fainted.

Kong Xisi held Kong Xi in her arms, tears streaming down her face.

"My son, how are you? Don't frighten your father!"

Zheng Xiong shook his head.

"You still need to train your body! Back in the day, I received fifty lashes in front of the Emperor and didn't utter a sound. You're already done for after only twenty lashes. You're useless."

These words enraged Kong Xisi, who stared intently at Zheng Xiong with tear-streaked eyes.

If eyesight were useful, Zheng Xiong would probably be stared to death by now.

"What are you looking at? You still have the nerve to look at me?"

"If you raise a child but do not teach him, it is the father's fault." "If you feel sorry for him, you should let him suffer the rest of the punishment and show your filial piety."

"Doctor, do you really intend to fight the Kong family to the death?"

Zheng Xiong's words of filial piety completely enraged Kong Xisi, who no longer cared about Zheng Xiong's status and spoke without reservation.

"Hey, what's wrong? You're going to bite me, aren't you?!"

"Based on your Kong family's behavior of recognizing a thief as their father, hereditary surrender documents, and being like a reed in the wind, do you think I would be afraid of your Kong family? Don't try to whine at me. Today, no one can save your son. I'm telling you."

"Men, check if he's dead. If he's not, continue the torture. Not to mention twenty strokes, go for fifty. Let's see if he confesses or not."

Kong Xisi was furious and tried to stop him, but was violently pushed away.

I want to say something harsh, but I don't know where to begin.

They could only watch helplessly as the half-dead Kong Xi was dragged away to be tortured.

One board, two boards, three boards...

"I'll confess."

A soft murmur, barely audible.

The constable who was carrying out the execution put down the board in his hand.

"What happened? Why did you stop?"

"My lord, it seems he said he's willing to surrender."

"Oh, really? Then hurry up, look, he's almost beaten to death. Tell me! How did you commit adultery?"

At this moment, Kong Xi was breathing heavily but exhaling little, and his speech was intermittent and barely audible.

However, the person in charge of recording the events did manage to record them fairly accurately, based on their own account and Kong Xi's dictation.

"My lord, please take a look."

After glancing at it briefly, Zheng Xiong returned it.

"Sign and seal it!"

By this time, the matter had basically been settled.

Even Kong Xisi had no solution.

He could only watch as Kong Xi shakily pressed his handprint.

"Father, help! Please save your child! It hurts so much, it hurts so much!"

“My lord, my son has confessed his guilt and urgently needs medical treatment. Please, my lord, show leniency and let my son go for treatment.”

Strangely enough, at this point, Kong Xisi lost his anger and instead pleaded with Zheng Xiong.

Zheng Xiong smiled nonchalantly.

"No problem, you know the rules of Yingtian Prefecture, right? Summon the doctor from Huimin Pharmacy to come to your home for a diagnosis. The consultation fee is one thousand taels. Do you have it on you?"

"I didn't bring it, but I'll have my men send it right away. I beg you to make an exception for me, Lord Marquis."

Zheng Xiong chuckled.

"There are staff stationed at the pharmacy. If you need treatment, you can receive your medication whenever it arrives. This is the rule of Huimin Pharmacy, so please abide by it."

"You, hurry back and get a thousand taels and send it to the pharmacy."

Upon seeing Kong Xisi send someone home, Zheng Xiong suddenly stopped smiling.

"Kong Xisi, do you know your crime?!"

Just when everyone thought the matter was over, Zheng Xiong still wouldn't let it go.

"I do not know what crime I have committed."

"Perjury, fabricated statements, calling a deer a horse, turning black into white, in broad daylight in the courtroom, your son has already confessed, do you still think you can escape?"

“My son did confess, that’s true, but it was through torture and forced confession, I dare not speak recklessly.”

"But if I am to plead guilty, the relevant authorities must verify the case and the Ministry of Justice must review it."

"Besides, I am an official, and the Dali Temple will uphold justice. There is no need for you, Lord Marquis, to trouble yourself."

I'm still not convinced!
Zheng Xiong smacked his lips.

"Hehe, that's not up to you."

"A matter begins with a single step, and should therefore continue to the end."

"The Court of Judicial Review has its own punishments. Here in this prefecture, all you have to do is confess your guilt."

"Do you admit to this crime or not?" (End of Chapter)